Soldier & Wood River Valley Mtns

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Likely

  Dimensione

  1–2

  You're likely to trigger wind slab avalanches in steep, wind-loaded terrain. These slides can be large on their own, but also provide an effective trigger for a much larger persistent slab avalanche, as described below. This problem is most prominent as you move up in elevation in open, wind-exposed terrain. Be on the lookout for wind affected surfaces, such as a pillowed or drifted appearance, and hollow "drum-like" slabs. Cracks shooting from your skis or sled mean you've found a sensitive slab.

  

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  2–3

  Triggering a very large persistent slab avalanche remains a concern. You're most likely to trigger one of these slides in steep terrain facing W-NW-N-NE-SE terrain (plot). These hefty 3-6 foot thick slabs rest above weak snow formed during January's drought, including surface hoar, facets, and facet + crust combinations.Although recent observations point towards an improving persistent slab problem, yesterday's snow and wind stalled the incremental progress. Wind slab avalanches and cornice failures could provide effective triggers for these deeper, more stubborn avalanches, resulting in wide and destructive slides. 

  Snowpack collapsing or whumpfing is a clear sign of unstable conditions. However, a lack of obvious warning signs doesn't mean you're in the clear. Persistent Slabs can release in surprising ways, break wider than expected, and release above or hundreds of feet away from where they are triggered.